6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test in Patients with Heart Failure: An Assessment of Validity, Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change

Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT) in patients with heart failure (pwHF). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 37 pwHF. Upper extremity functional capacity was evaluated using the 6PBRT. The 6PBRT was executed twice to investigate test-retest reliability. The upper extremity muscle strength was measured using a dynamometer. Functional capacity, activities of daily living, and quality of life were assessed with the Milliken Activities of Daily Living Scale (MAS), six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), respectively. Results: Test re-test reliability was excellent for 6PBRT with an ICC=0.957 (95% CI 0.863 to 0.982). The MDC of the 6PBRT was 23.75 rings. The 6PBRT was strongly correlated with functional class (rho=-0.778, p